Sand-colored fly box lost in lower West Branch, around Hancock & Shehawken. If found, please alert me. Cash reward possible.

I am making balsa pencil poppers that are 2 inches long, and word is the best hook to use is the Mustad 9674. But I don't know the exact size hook to get. I would need a 2 1/4 inch long hook to allow for tying on a marabou tail. Does anyone know the exact size of that? 1/0, 2/0, x-long? or...

Future, your new photo (avatar is what you call it?) is the same photo we have framed on the wall at home. One of our favs. Nice choice.. M.

Hey Future, Good hearing from you. The rainbow looked okay. Hell of a fighter, those wild Esopus bows. Average size of @12 inches. But fights like a bull. Anyway, I am so saddened by the Rock Snot. Took Lo over there, and upon our arrival even she said, "What's that stuff in the water?" I...

Was at the Esopus this past weekend, and it was a flow of Rock Snot with only some water. I had no idea how bad this stuff can be until this experience. Even dry flies got mugged by the stuff. Saw very little aquatic bug activity (because they've all suffocated long ago). Caught one rainbow...

In need of advice. Got first weekend of December open, and would like to fly fish the coast for some stripers. Anyone know where the best bets would be to pitch camp? Jersey coast, NY coast? No boat, just walking the beaches, etc. Any info appreciated.

Thank you gentlemen for your valued advice. Perhaps I will indeed forgo the hook keeper biz and wrap the line around the reel and use the rod guide. Good point. As for you, Future, well you crack me up.

In need of some help attaching a hook keeper to my TFO 9-weight (don't know why my TFO would come without one, but...). I'd like to attach one, but I don't know how to do it. Anyone have good advice in size of hook keeper to get and how best to attach. Simple, I'm assuming, is best here. Any...

I was tired of trying to control/release trout without a net, or with the net I used which tangled my flies, etc. Both ways proved aggravating, so I purchased one of those brand new Fisknat landing nets--rubber netting, but designed much lighter than ordinary rubber netting (still not quite as...

I'm in need of some advice. I have a rod with an uplocking ring that is too fat (1/2 in.) and difficult to tighten over the reel foot, thus the reel is not on too securely... Do I need a whole new rod seat? Can I change the ring? Do I send it someplace for a better rod seat with a better ring?

Any of you Salmon River guys have info on Smallmouth in the Salmon River? Does the Salmon have good smallmouth fly fishing? If so, when is the best time, and what part of the river, lower, middle or upper? Any info appreciated.

Future, have you been hitting the West Branch of late? Let me know so I can go with you, damn it! I still haven't casted my new TFO yet...

John, what's a thumb drive? Whatever it is, it sounds good. I'm here working today at CC. Talk soon. M.

Future, what are you up to now with this obscure thread of the west? By the way, when are you going to send me the pics?

Advice needed, For lack of adequate travel rods, is it appropriate to carry your two piece rod tubes on the plane, or tag it for the luggage compartment below? What's worked for many of you?